New guidelines should widen access to NHS care

A decision by the Healthcare Ombudsman has required Torbay Care Trust to refund Â£50,000 to Mike Pearce after it was determined that his elderly mother’s nursing home fees should have been met by the NHS. Mes Pearce had suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease and her condition had worsened to the point where she was inacapable of doing anything other than chew an swallow, yet the care trust had said she was ineligible for NHS funding and referred her to the local authority to be means tested. Mr Pearce initially appealed against the decision and went to the Ombudsman when the appeal failed. The Department of Health says new guidelines set out in iys current consultation paper on continuing care will give people fairer and more equitable access to NHS funding with greater inclusion for mental health needs in old age. A final document, setting out parameters on what care needs and circumstances would qualify for NHS funded care, is expected to be published within the next three months. The Alzheimer’s Society s